Bible Studies
Ses'khona # 4We Are Here ... to Challenge Gender Perceptions
Bongiwe Dumezwemi
Luke 1:24-38; 10:38-42; 13:10-17
AIDS Bible Studies
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To introduce today's readings in Luke we will discuss the questions about gender below. Keep your discussion very brief so that you have time to discover Jesus' sensitivity to gender in Luke.
Questions About Gender
1. What does it mean to be male and female? What expectations/roles does each have?
2. In what ways do the newspaper clippings you have collected present roles of women and men in society?
3. Keeping this in mind, how are the experiences of adult men and women who are infected by HIV/AIDS and their caregivers similar or different to one another?
4. From what we have read in Luke so far, in what situations have you seen
Jesus' sensitivity to gender? Let's look at some other examples.
Read Luke 1:24-38
5. a. A very old, barren woman and a very young virgin, Elizabeth and Mary,
become the main characters at the beginning of Luke's story. How does God use
these women to accomplish his purposes in ways that their culture may not expect
or affirm?
b. How does Luke's story of Elizabeth and Mary affirm and commend these unique
women in the important part they play in the coming of Christ to the world?
Read Luke 10:38-42
6. a. To sit at a Rabbi's feet meant to be a disciple and women were not permitted
to be disciples of famous Rabbis. How do Mary and Martha respond to these social
pressures?
b. How does Jesus' response challenge the gender perceptions of that time? (v.
41-42)
Read Luke 13:10-17
7. a. In this example of Jesus healing on the Sabbath, how do His words affirm this woman and give her dignity in her own eyes and in the eyes of the Pharisees? (v. 15-16)
8. From what you have seen in Luke, and from your general knowledge of the Scriptures, how would you summarize your idea of how Jesus understands gender?
9. a. How does Jesus challenge our attitudes and behavior towards the opposite
sex?
b. What will we change?
10. If Jesus transformed our attitudes to gender, how could this impact the HIV/AIDS situation?
Silent Prayer
Take 5 minutes alone in the group in silence, to write down things that you enjoy about the gender God has given you. Ask the Spirit for light to see where your attitudes toward the opposite sex need to change or grow.
Group project
Organize a Saturday men's breakfast/discussion for your fellowship. Invite a few women to come and answer questions on gender issues related to HIV/AIDS. Do the same for the women. Then come together in worship to give thanks to God for His gift of human gender.
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